The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) in Soroti is holding 18 foreign-registered motorcycles seized during operations against smuggling in the Teso Sub-region, with the motorcycles remaining unclaimed for more than a year. The motorcycles, mainly registered in Kenya and South Sudan, were impounded after allegedly entering Uganda through unofficial routes without the required documentation.
Denis Maliamungu, the URA Soroti team leader, said the authority has intensified engagement with communities across Teso to raise awareness about the dangers and legal consequences of smuggling and buying goods whose origin cannot be verified. “We have been able to do our work in Teso without any violence, and it has improved our reach within Teso,” Maliamungu said.
He said smugglers have infiltrated markets across the sub-region with goods from Kenya and South Sudan, often selling them to unsuspecting members of the public using forged invoices and other documentation. Maliamungu said foreign motorcycles have become a particular challenge because many enter Uganda through porous border points and are subsequently used for commercial and personal purposes.
“When such items reach here unknowingly, our people purchase and use them for carrying out businesses, boda bodas, and even personal use. During our operations, we have impounded many motorcycles and noticed that the community is largely unaware of the penalties for purchasing unauthorised goods,” he said.
According to Maliamungu, URA impounds more than 300 illegal foreign motorcycles annually across the Teso Sub-region. He said some of the motorcycles lack original logbooks and other documents required to establish their ownership and country of origin, making it difficult for owners to reclaim them once seized.
“Teso has many foreign-registered number plates. Maybe these motorcycles are stolen from neighbouring countries because most of them do not have original logbooks,” Maliamungu said. He explained that foreign-registered motorcycles are only permitted to operate a limited distance from the border, estimated at between 20 and 50 kilometres, and should not be used deep inside the country without complying with the relevant requirements.
Maliamungu cited an incident in Katakwi District where URA impounded a motorcycle bearing a Ugandan registration number plate but later discovered that it was actually registered in Kenya. He also warned against the practice of assigning Ugandan registration numbers to foreign motorcycles to evade detection, saying the practice poses a security risk.
He said if such a motorcycle is involved in an accident or crime and the rider flees, tracing the actual owner or motorcycle becomes difficult. “Those found doing this face the law. Our laws are very clear that such individuals are prosecuted,” he said. Beyond motorcycles, Maliamungu said smugglers have also been using porous border routes to introduce other goods into the Teso market, including phone accessories, wheat flour, motorcycle spare parts, counterfeit engine oils, clothing and cigarettes.
He said the influx of smuggled and counterfeit products was distorting the local economy and undermining legitimate businesses. Maliamungu urged residents to be vigilant when purchasing goods suspected to have been smuggled into the country and report suspicious consignments to the relevant authorities. “Serial smugglers have always faced prosecution whenever they are caught in action,” he said-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
